tzhang4284 wrote:
Didn't have a chance to read through all the comments but I was on Sony for a long time and would wholeheartedly recommend the Q3 43mm APO. There's minimal learning curve and the 43mm APO lens is top notch and I thought better than anything I've used from Sony in terms of sharpness, colors and image quality. The industrial design on the camera is also next level great.
The biggest downsides is that the body lacks IBIS which makes it borderline unusable for video (e.g. if you want to take videos of your grandkids or on vacation unless your hands are super steady, expect shakey cam footage). The second big downside is I think the tech is overall closer to the Sony A7RIV in terms of speed of operation and overall capability. The 3rd downside is 43mm is a bit of a weird focal length - I couldn't fully get used to it as my one and only lens.
I eventually moved over to the SL3-S mainly for the IBIS and better sensor (only 24mp) for video. It's bigger than the Q3 43mm but I also have a Leica M11 for when I want to maximize compactness. I keep thinking about adding the Q3 43mm APO back in my kit but trying to hold off.
On accessories, I think the ergonomics of the Q3 isn't as good as a proper DSLR style mirrorless camera but I didn't think any of the half cases or grips I've tried made it meaningfully better, so if I get it again, I'd probably just use it without any.
After reading your comments, I felt dissuaded from the Q3 43 rather than moved toward it. So I am perplexed a bit that you wholeheartedly recommend the camera. Is that based exclusively on the lens? You don't seem to like anything else about it and in fact you got rid of yours. What am I missing about why you recommend the camera over, for example, a Sony A7C R or an A1 series body?
BTW, although it doesn't have IBIS, the Q3 does have lens-based image stabilization. Not as good as most IBIS systems but still helpful.
tzhang4284 wrote:
Didn't have a chance to read through all the comments but I was on Sony for a long time and would wholeheartedly recommend the Q3 43mm APO. There's minimal learning curve and the 43mm APO lens is top notch and I thought better than anything I've used from Sony in terms of sharpness, colors and image quality. The industrial design on the camera is also next level great.
The biggest downsides is that the body lacks IBIS which makes it borderline unusable for video (e.g. if you want to take videos of your grandkids or on vacation unless your hands are super steady, expect shakey cam footage). The second big downside is I think the tech is overall closer to the Sony A7RIV in terms of speed of operation and overall capability. The 3rd downside is 43mm is a bit of a weird focal length - I couldn't fully get used to it as my one and only lens.
I eventually moved over to the SL3-S mainly for the IBIS and better sensor (only 24mp) for video. It's bigger than the Q3 43mm but I also have a Leica M11 for when I want to maximize compactness. I keep thinking about adding the Q3 43mm APO back in my kit but trying to hold off.
On accessories, I think the ergonomics of the Q3 isn't as good as a proper DSLR style mirrorless camera but I didn't think any of the half cases or grips I've tried made it meaningfully better, so if I get it again, I'd probably just use it without any.
After reading your comments, I felt dissuaded from the Q3 43 rather than moved toward it. So I am perplexed a bit that you wholeheartedly recommend the camera. Is that based exclusively on the lens? You don't seem to like anything else about it and in fact your got rid of yours. What am I missing about why you recommend the camera over, for example, a Sony A7C R or an A1 series body?
BTW, although it doesn't have IBIS, the Q3 does have lens-based image stabilization. Not as good as most IBIS systems but still helpful.
Apr 17, 2026 at 02:21 PM
Previous versions of chiron's message #17022466 « Considering a Leica Q3 43 but used to Sony »
